7 minute read
A Life Spent in Nature (So far...)
By Will Lawson (Fgh 96)
I’ve found time in nature – if nothing else – is a chance to walk or think. If you’re clever; do both.
Twenty-four years have passed, but I still remember sitting in the housemaster’s study leafing through the UCAS ‘bible’ trying to figure out what was next for me after Uppingham. “Well, that’s interesting…” Neil Gutteridge had said. “Based on your aptitude test, Will, it’s pointing toward courses in ‘waste disposal’ or ‘pest control’!” He’d chuckled, showing me the result. “So, it looks like it’s either ‘dustbin man’ or ‘rat catcher’ for you! Your folks will be pleased!” We both laughed – me slightly nervously…The truth was, at that time, the closest I’d come to a decision about my future was to join the army, but in reality, I didn’t have the foggiest idea what I wanted to do. A childhood of climbing trees, running up hills, sport and CCF, no doubt fed my desire for a life outdoors, but I certainly didn’t know how any of it could be applied to a career. In the end, Edinburgh Uni came next for me. Peter Green steered me to do Geography there: “Study something you enjoy, Will”, he’d advised, “if you can, study it in God’s country [Scotland!] and the rest will follow…!” It was the right choice, and four fantastic years ensued.
In my second year, it was a trip to the Masai Mara, organised by some new Kenyan friends from university, that would, without sounding too dramatic, change everything. It sparked my fascination with the natural world, and it made me wonder; could a Yorkshireman be a game ranger in Africa?
Supported by a bursary from the university, I spent two summers in South Africa learning what it was to be a game ranger: zoology, botany, tracking, geology, astronomy, dangerous animals, off-road driving, conservation, storytelling, ethics… the more I learnt, the more fascinated I was. I’d found a profession that fed my enjoyment of the outdoors and my interest in the natural world. What followed was seven years in Southern Africa, working (for five of them) as a ranger and head ranger at Sabi Sabi Game Reserve and for two years as a freelance ranger instructor (for EcoTraining – the company that trained me). Those were undoubtedly my formative years – full of adventure, continuously learning and meeting incredible people.
As head ranger, I would often guide the higher profile visitors and one particular guest was a well-known science writer from Montana called Janine Benyus, visiting Africa for the first time. Over the coming days, I introduced her to Africa’s natural history, and she introduced me to a concept called ‘biomimicry’ (the process of looking to nature to find healthier, greener, and more sustainable solutions to human challenges). It turned out that Janine was the world’s leading expert on the topic, and the knowledge she shared with me blew my mind. It was a chance meeting, but it became another important stepping stone, eventually leading to a group of us co-founding a grassroots organisation (now a flourishing consultancy), called BiomimicrySA. This progressive branch of science took my natural history knowledge in a new direction, and I found myself educating and working with designers, conservationists, engineers, universities, even government. It was an exciting time and it motivated me to explore other far-reaching ways to share stories and inspire others about the natural world; an exploration that led me along a path toward wildlife filmmaking.
After a period of wearing several hats in South Africa – instructing, biomimicry, and wildlife filmmaking – I was given an unexpected opportunity back home, in Bristol. It was only a three-month contract, but to work on the latter stages of the newest Attenborough series, Africa. I took the role and I remember being very conscious that I had to make it count. Early on, while delivering drives of footage to an edit suite, I walked in and saw someone I’d recently met in Mozambique, but on the screen. “How do you know Tonga Torcida?” I blurted out! I can still recall the producer, Kate Broom, looking up in surprise, and replying, “I think the more important question is, how do you know Tonga Torcida? !” I explained I’d taken part in a bioblitz with Tonga in Gorongosa National Park (Mozambique) – where he was a ranger – the year before (a bioblitz focuses on identifying and recording as many species as possible in a specified area over a short period of time). Kate’s eyebrows had shot up at this news, “How interesting…it just so happens we’re editing a story about a bioblitz; in Gorongosa National Park!” It turned out that the BBC had been filming there whilst I was busy ID-ing plants for the botany team. This remarkable overlap resulted in Kate and I working more closely together, and subsequently her offering me a role on BBC Springwatch as a full-time researcher. Suddenly, I had my foot in the door at the BBC Natural History Unit.
Over the past 12 years in television, I’ve been given fantastic opportunities to share stories from the natural world. Since Africa and Springwatch, I’ve worked on incredible BBC projects such as Patagonia, Wild West, Planet Earth II, Dynasties, Frozen Planet II, and recently, producing the Cold episode for Mammals. They have taken me to the hottest and coldest parts of the planet, to places I never thought I’d see; to places (seemingly) as isolated and magical as the moon. This has also given me opportunities to work with, and learn from, incredibly talented and passionate people –none more noteworthy than Sir David Attenborough. But, coming (almost) full circle, I now find myself back in Africa’s warmth, reconnecting with its incredible wildlife, on an exciting new BBC series, coming soon…!
Looking back along the path I’ve taken (so far), one thing that leaves me with no regrets is the time I’ve spent in nature; any time spent in nature is time well-spent, I think. John Muir put it well:
“In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks…” and I’d agree. For many, nature is a balm, it can give perspective and a focus away from other demands of life – in fact, studies show that just 10 minutes spent in nature improves mood, reduces blood pressure and lowers the heart rate (although from personal experience, nature’s unpredictability can also elevate blood pressure especially when sent to film the next ‘never filmed before’ moment). Over the last 18 years or so, it’s also given me opportunities to witness and share some truly remarkable things. When thinking back on memorable experiences, I’m very fortunate to be able to say, “there have been quite a few…”. Seeing the aurora australis dance above an emperor penguin colony during Antarctic winter was pure magic; quietly watching wolves and bison resting side-by-side – during a hunt that lasted hours –showed me a different side to nature; the incredible speed and ferocity of two female leopards fighting in the top of a tree left me in awe. Each one, amidst many, remains a vivid memory…
To conclude this reminiscence, I feel it’s important to say that a career spent in nature can also feel incredibly rewarding. Yes, it comes from hard work, but also (perhaps more importantly) it comes from a sense of achievement from being patient (as well as having courage in your convictions). One thing I’ve learnt over the years is that nature seems to reward patience, and when waiting that extra minute… day… or week… pays off, it can almost feel like an approving nod or pat on the back from nature itself. The ramblings of a naturalist perhaps… but what I can say is it certainly gives an incredible feeling of connection. The trick though, comes in learning to ‘patiently wait’… in the right place. So, if I was to give a piece of advice to myself, 24 years ago, sitting in the housemaster’s study, I think I’d say;
Pursue your passion wherever it takes you, nurture the connections you make along the way… but also, be patient!
